DISEASES OF CATTLE 469 



the free ends of the threads, which should in turn be tied securely on 

 a similar piece of wood on that side. 



Punctured Wounds. Owing to the uncertainty of their depth 

 and the structures they may involve, punctured wounds are by far 

 the most dangerous and difficult to treat. Not only is the extent of 

 the damage hidden from view, but the very character of the injury, 

 as can be readily understood, implies at least the possibility of deep- 

 seated inflammation and consequent discharge of pus (matter), 

 which, when formed, is kept pent up until it has accumulated to 

 such an extent that it burrows by simple gravity, as no other exit 

 is possible. In this way foreign matters, such as a broken piece of 

 the stake or snag, or whatever caused the wound, may be carried to 

 an indefinite depth, or the cavity of a joint may be invaded and 

 very serious, if not fatal, consequences supervene. 



The danger is especially marked when the injury is inflicted 

 on parts liable to frequent and extensive motion, but all cases of 

 punctured wounds should receive unusual care, as no judgment can 

 be accurately formed from the external appearance of the wound. 

 While a probe can ascertain the depth, it throws but little light on 

 the extent or exact nature of the internal injury. For this reason 

 all punctured wounds should invariably be carefully searched by 

 means of a probe or some substitute devised for the occasion, such as 

 a piece of wire with a smooth blunt end, or a piece of hard wood 

 shaped for the purpose. Stitching is not admissible in the case of 

 punctured wounds. 



If a punctured wound is not very deep, and when the bruising 

 and laceration are slight, it is possible for healing to take place by 

 adhesion, and this should always be encouraged, as the process of 

 repair by this method is far superior to that by granulation, which 

 will be referred to later. With this object in view, the animal should 

 be kept as quiet as possible. A dose of physic, such as a pound of 

 Glauber's or Epsom salts, should be administered, and warm fo- 

 mentations or poultices, when this is practicable, applied, the surface 

 of the wound being dressed twice a day with the ordinary white 

 lotion, which is made as follows : 



Acetate of lead ounce . . 1 



Sulphate of zinc drams . . 6 



Water quart . . 1 



The lead and zinc should be put in a quart bottle with a pint 

 of rain water and well shaken, when the balance of the water may 

 be added. 



In wounds of this description the process of repair may be com- 

 plicated by the appearance of exuberant granulations, popularly 

 known as proud flesh or dead flesh, but really an overgrowth of new 

 tissue granulation tissue; but these should not be interfered with 

 unless they should continue after the acute stage of inflammation 

 has been subdued. If, after this, they persist, they may be treated 

 with a solution of sulphate of copper (bluestone) or nitrate of silver 

 (lunar caustic) and water. Irritation, caused by an overinterference 

 with the process of repair, and injudicious bandaging are potent fac- 



